What winter upgrades do you need for your home?

This is no time to neglect your home, regardless of where you live. At this time of year, many homeowners – especially in colder regions – neglect the condition of their homes in anticipation of warmer weather. Even in warmer regions – where weather can be unpredictable – this is the time of year when home improvements take the back burner. Let’s take a look at some areas of your home that can benefit from your attention right now.

Doors/Windows. Perhaps you did all the right things before the colder weather set in…you checked for drafts, replaced weather stripping…maybe even replaced some of your doors and windows. Now is the time to determine if the improvements you made were effective. If you are still experiencing some drafty conditions, it’s time to call your local contractor in to perform an inspection and schedule the required work to fix the condition as soon as weather permits.

Roofing/Gutters. Again, you may have performed the necessary inspections/improvements to your roofing prior to the onset of winter, but are now finding that it’s not enough. Now is the time to inspect your roofing and gutters, or better still, call a professional to discuss any ice dams or icicles that may cause serious damage to your roof. In warmer climates, this is the time of year to address any gutters that may be sagging as a result of too much rain and debris.

Landscaping. Regardless of where you may live, there is no better time than now to consider your outdoor landscaping. Even if it’s currently covered in snow, by calling a landscape professional now, you’ll avoid being wait-listed when everyone else in your neighborhood decides to act. The process for designing and constructing your perfect paradise can – and should – take months, so even in warmer climates, why not start planning now, before everyone else does?

Remodeling. For many homeowners, holidays reveal that they simply don’t have enough room in their current home or that their existing space could use some remodeling. With proper planning by a remodeling professional, you’ll be ready the next time guests emerge on your home for any reason.

Siding/Fencing/Decks. This time of year also has a way of revealing imperfections or problems with your siding/fencing and/or deck. It may be time to upgrade to a newer vinyl or other available material for maximum durability and beauty.

After the holidays are over is the perfect time to start planning those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off for far too long. Get a jump on your neighbors who will all be envious of how great your home looks when spring and summer roll around. You’ll leave them all scratching their heads saying “why didn’t I think of that?”

In the Attic
During the summer, your attic acts as a giant radiator, retaining heat which can end up ruining your stored possessions. This built-up heat can also spill over into the rest your home, causing your utility bills to steadily climb. In the winter, although the attic is certainly cooled off, moisture can eventually build up on the interior of the roof, creating havoc on your household structure (mildew, mold, peeling paint, decaying shingles, warped beams and floorboards). Since you don’t want to waste energy by heating or cooling your attic, the most efficient way to solve these problems is simple ventilation.

Even though natural ventilation can alleviate a lot of problems, attic fans can increase the air flow by pulling in air outside of your home and pushing it out through attic vents. Just as with central air conditioners, when the air in the attic hits a certain pre-set temperature, the fan will pull in cooler external air and push out the warmer air at a faster rate than passive ventilation systems that normally have to wait until the air gets so hot that it expands and slowly floats out through the vents on its own. For the winter months, these fans can also come with a humidistat that can pull moisture out of the air in order to prevent dampness.

Whole House Fan
These fans not only cool off your attic, they can be designed to ventilate your entire house. Central air can be very expensive and inefficient. Plus, if you live in an older house without central air, why spend all that money on new units and duct work when attic fans can to the job for you. These fans are often installed in hallways and work on the same principle: by opening up your windows, they pull in the cooler outside air, move it quickly throughout your home, and release it through your attic, thereby cooling the entire house without all the extra costs. Of course it takes electricity to operate the fan, but it uses substantially less than central air; and if you want to avoid additional energy costs, you may want to look into the newest innovations in ventilation systems.

Solar Attic Fans
A solar attic fan is the newest invention in the heating and cooling industry. They are installed on the roofs of most homes and by collecting natural energy from the sun they can power a whole house fan with the same efficiency as electrical units. Since they run on natural resources, they cut down on utility costs, are more environmentally friendly, and don’t take up as much room in the home. They only operate when the sun is shining, but since removing excessive heat is usually the number one task of any attic fan, this is usually not a problem.

When it comes to ventilating your attic, always consult a professional. Though one fan is usually sufficient, it all depends on your personal priorities: cost, efficiency, and function. Do you want additional energy savings? Do you have a bigger attic to ventilate? Are you concerned about just the upstairs or the entire house? Are solar attic fans right for you? These questions can be better answered by consulting an experienced contractor who can impart expert advice and ensure quality installation.

Article written by Marc Dickinson who has worked in both the general contracting and landscaping trades and is currently a home improvement freelance writer with over 300 articles published.

The size of your family, the utilities in your area and the space available for your water heater all play a role in determining how to choose a water heater.

Storage Tank Water Heaters
Storage tank water heaters are the most common type and the best water heater to buy. These units have an insulated tank where water is heated and stored until it is needed. They are available in electric, liquid propane (LP) and natural gas models. Natural gas and LP water heaters normally use less energy and are less expensive to operate than electric models of the same size.

Water Heater Size Chart
People Gallons
2 people 30-40
3 people 40
4 people 40-50
5+ people 50-80

Storage tank water heaters are designated by the amount of water they hold, in gallons. Tank size is one of the major considerations when purchasing one of these water heaters. If you intend to use a storage tank water heater, use our chart as a guide to finding the size you need.

Another consideration for storage tank water heaters is recovery rate — the number of gallons of water they can heat in an hour. The greater your demand for hot water, the higher recovery rate you need.

When you buy a water heater, look at the energy efficiency and yearly operating costs of a water heater before you decide which one is right for your needs. This information can be found on the EnergyGuide label.

Know the dimensions of the space where your water heater resides. If your hot water use increases and you need to upgrade to a larger tank size, it may be necessary to run plumbing to a different area so the new, larger unit will fit. One alternative to running new plumbing is to purchase a low boy or shorty water heater. These units are shorter and bigger around than a normal water heater, allowing them to hold the same amount of water as their larger counterparts while still fitting in areas with limited headroom.

Small storage tank water heaters, known as point of use, utility or mobile home water heaters, are good choices for adding hot water to out buildings, shops or garages. Utility water heaters usually range in size from 2.5 to 19 gallons. The largest of these miniature units can also be used to provide hot water to secondary bathrooms that may be situated far from your home’s main water heater.

Tankless Water Heater
Tankless or on-demand water heaters do not store hot water; rather they heat water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. Since the unit only heats water as you use it, a tankless heater is usually more energy efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater. They are available in electric, LP and natural gas models. A tankless unit can provide an unlimited amount of hot water, but it can only provide a limited volume. Most tankless units can provide up to 3.5 gallons of heated water per minute. These units are a good choice for anyone whose demand doesn’t typically call for hot water at more than two points at a time.

Hot Water Dispenser
Hot water dispensers are great for making instant coffee or hot tea. Hot water dispensers are convenient point of use water heaters. They are great for making soups, sauces, oatmeal and other instant foods. These units provide 190° water instantly, so be careful when using them.

Accessories
There are many accessories available to improve safety and efficiency in your water heater, such as:

Water heater stands raise gas units off the ground and reduce the risk of fire in the event of a flammable liquid spill nearby.

Water heater pans sit under the heater and collect water from leaks or overflows caused by excess pressure in the tank. The pan has an opening in the side for a drain hose to carry away any overflow water.

Water alarms sit either on the floor or in the pan beside the water heater. If the heater leaks or overflows, the alarm will sense the liquid and give an audio alarm to alert the homeowner that there is a problem.

Tank expanders are plumbed to the water heater. They are designed to hold the extra volume of water that can be produced when cold water is heated in the tank.

Pressure regulators are connected to the outlet side of the water heater to keep the water pressure from exceeding a preset limit as it exits the tank. Regulating the pressure helps protect the interior pipes from leaking or bursting due to pressure surges in the plumbing system.

Timers are wired into the unit’s electrical supply and can be set so the water heater only draws electricity at specified times. Running the water heater only when needed cuts down on energy use and saves you money.

Insulating water heater blankets are made especially to fit over the unit and reinforce the insulating ability of the water heater. Insulating blankets are best for heaters that reside in garages or other unheated spaces.

Information courtesy of Lowe’s.

“These Rayovac Maximum Plus Alkaline Batteries are cosmetically imperfect. So yes, when your friends and family open your remote control, your mp3 player, your hand battery operated hand tools, or your child’s toys, they’re going to get a glimpse of your embarrassing battery blemishes. However, if you can overcome the name calling “Blemished Battery Buyer Person” and the like, your in for a heck of a great savings. But beware, these batteries never made it into their intended packaging, so you’ll have to store them in the embarrassing box we send ‘em in or use your own container….So, do these batteries a favor and let them know they needn’t feel used and discarded….at least not until they’ve been used and you discard them.”

# 100 unpackaged AAA batteries
# Cosmetically blemished, but otherwise new and in perfect working order
# Alkaline batteries
# Approximate ship date of May 14, 2009
# Batteries have expiration dates in 2010-2013 so they’re good for quite some time.
# These batteries are new, not recharged and not tested and slightly used or pulled out of some camera. They are new, unused, have plenty of remaining dating, they just have cosmetic blemishes.

Go to GraveYardMall to order your lot.

1. Install a programmable thermostat.
2. Use “Smart Power Strips” to turn off power to electronics when not in use.
3. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
4. Install surge protectors on all electronics.
5. Install CFLs or LEDs wherever possible.
6. Buy only EnergyStar® appliances.
7. Change furnace filters at least every 90 days.
8. Create a budget and stick to it.
9. Use curtains and blinds to keep out drafts in winter and too much direct sun in summer.
10. Organize your basement and garage and sell unneeded items.
11. Analyze your cable TV and phone service for services that can be eliminated.
12. Dial back your thermostat 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer.
13. Use your computer to search for bargains in groceries, auto supplies, vitamins and other items.
14. Pay yourself first and set a minimum amount to be saved each pay period.
15. Cancel your land line phone and use your cell only.
16. Purchase food in bulk at warehouse clubs and split huge quantities with friends/relatives.
17. Forget the movie theater and rent movies from the “Redbox.”
18. Barter services or goods with others.
19. Use income tax software to do your taxes.
20. Insulate your water heater (unless the manufacturer says it’s not necessary).
21. Take your lunch to work at least 2 days a week.
22. Launder in cold water.
23. Enroll in your electric company’s energy saver program.
24. Buy generic.
25. Wash whole loads only in washing machines and dishwashers.

Reprinted by permission from TheHousingGuru.com

Not only can you make some extra dough, you are also helping to save the planet. Consider visiting the Better World Books the next you move, when unpacking from a move, or at the end of the school year.

Below are some questions and answers about how you can turn those books into cash.

1. How does selling my books to you work?
Selling your books to Better World Books is easy. Just enter the ISBNs of the books you are interested in selling. The books will be added to your buyback cart and our buyback price will be shown. Adjust the quantities and choose how you want to be paid. If you choose PayPal, you’ll need to enter the e-mail address associated with your PayPal account.

Choose the literacy partner you want your buyback to benefit and decide if you would like to make an additional contribution to that partner’s literacy initiatives. You will also need to select your address. If you make any changes to your buyback cart, be sure to click ‘Update Cart’.

Click ‘Agree to BuyBack’ and print your pre-paid USPS Media Mail label and packing slip. Next, simply package your books and drop them in the mail. Once we receive your books in our warehouse, we’ll process them and issue payment.

2. Do you really make a donation to literacy when I sell my books to you?
Yes. Every time you sell your books to Better World Books, you are helping bring literacy and opportunity to people around the world. For each book we purchase, we’ll make a donation to one of our five primary literacy partners. We even let you choose which of our partners you want your buyback to benefit. You can make an additional donation by choosing to give part of your buyback total when you confirm your order.

Our five primary literacy partners are Invisible Children, Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, and the National Center for Family Literacy.

3. How will you pay me?
You have a few of options. We recommend choosing Gift Certificate or PayPal because you’ll get paid more and it’s fast, green, and secure. If you prefer not get paid with a Gift Certificate or through PayPal, we can do it the old fashion way and mail a check to you. It will just take longer and you won’t get paid as much. Don’t have PayPal? Visit PayPal to learn how to sign up.

4. When will I get paid?
We know there are a few books on BetterWorldBooks.com you are dying to have, so we’ll get you your money as fast as we can. All payments are normally processed within 2 business days of receiving your buyback.

5. How long is the price quote good for?
Price quotes are good for a limited time only. Books must be postmarked within 7 days and received within 30 days of your buyback order. If your package is postmarked more than 7 days or received more than 30 days after your order was placed we will re-evaluate the books based on current buyback prices. The new price quote may be different from your original offer.

6. How do you determine your buyback prices?
Our buyback prices are set based on current availability and future demand.

7. Who pays for shipping?
If your buyback total is at least five dollars or you choose to donate at least three books, shipping is free! We pay for shipping when you use the pre-paid USPS Media Mail label we provide at checkout. If you choose to use a different service or carrier, we cannot reimburse you for shipping. Please do not use Priority Mail envelopes or boxes when using our prepaid Media Mail label. This will help us keep our costs down which helps keep our buyback prices higher.

For more information or more questions and answers go to Better World Books.

WINDOWS
Installing a skylight or sun tunnel is an energy-efficient way to add extra light and a dramatic effect to your home. A professional installer can help you take advantage of the natural beauty and energy savings in almost any room in your home, including bathrooms, hallways, or even walk-in closets.

Lifetime vinyl replacement windows have an easy-to-clean design and are both durable and efficient. These windows have been tested to withstand whatever the weather may bring. By meeting the Energy Star™ standards, these windows provide maximum efficiency and can help you save money on energy bills.

SIDING
The exterior of your home is the shield that protects your family and the contents of your home from severe storms and seasonal weather patterns. That is why it is important to use only quality siding with highly trained and experienced technicians.

Low maintenance vinyl siding provides superior protection, is highly durable, and energy efficient. Vinyl is available in many different profiles and colors. Combined with vinyl soffitt, wrapped trim, and facia boards will eliminate any future painting costs.

ROOFING
GAF 5-Part Weather Stopper Roofing System is highly recommended when replacing your roof. This process has proven to be the best protection against the elements, and offers the highest quality installation. Below list some of the features of this system.

1. Leak Barrier. Using a special material designed specifically for use around eaves, rakes, valleys, chimneys, skylights, and surrounding all roof penetrations gives your roof added stability and protection.

2. Roof Deck Protection. A synthetic underlayment lays flat with less wrinkles, helps protect against leaks, and allows attic moisture to breath through it.

3. Quality Shingles. Shingles of all types are offered to compliment your home and fit your budget.

4. Effective Attic Ventilation. Insures proper air circulation to prevent condensation, mold, and deterioration of roof sheathing.

5. Hip or Ridge Cap. Gives your shingled roof the finishing touch.

I’m not saying that it’s impossible to take advantage of another’s misfortune or changed circumstances, only that it often produces undesired results. It’s more likely a recipe for both parties to lose. If an agreement can be worked out that both parties are happy with, a synergy can be created that will be mutually beneficial, with outstanding results.

I operate a five year old Home Improvement company called Details Home Services. As a contractor in the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area, I visit the local Home Depot stores almost daily, and know much of the staff. In the last year, many of my competitors have gone out of business. The ProDesk is less busy, much like the rest of the store. Management confirms the slowdown.

Those of us that remain in business have multiple reasons. But there is business out there, and good business. At present, I have more qualified prospects than at any other time in the 5 year life of my business. In this down economy, I may be willing to make certain concessions, but am very concerned with any potential dilution of my value proposition, and that’s my key.

I’ve never competed on low price, rather on high value. I operate a “high touch” business, where I spend lots of time with my prospects to make them customers, and lots more to make them happy customers. My best client is one who expects a lot, but puts high value on customer service, attention to detail, and the process as well as the end result of a home improvement project. As such, while willing to negotiate, I prefer a straight-forward approach. Tell me your motivations and constraints, and let me tell you mine. There should be a good compromise if both parties act in good faith.

I often tell prospects that there are three key issues with a home improvement project: time, quality, and cost. They get to choose any two, but only two. If they want high quality and a fast turnaround, it will cost a lot. If timeframe is more flexible, a high quality job can be delivered for less cost. A fast job done quickly is unlikely to be high quality.

I have three recommendations. The first is obvious: get multiple bids. Have a budget in mind, and know what you want done. The better you can describe the what and why of your plans, the better contractors will be able to provide good proposals to bring them to life. Second, decide the level of detail you want and need, AND are willing to pay for. While discussing the project, pay attention to what the contractor says, and how he says it. If he leads with price, he might not be the contractor you want, as he’s showing his value, or lack of it. The one you want is the one who stresses his strengths, but is humble enough to make concessions that add to the experience.

How do we do it?

We go over your home, room by room, noticing things you probably no longer see because you see them everyday. We find solutions for potential problem areas and enhance the features that increase your home’s value. By appealing to the largest segment of potential buyers, we create an environment that buyers want to make their own. Around every corner we prompt potential buyers to envision themselves: having a romantic evening with their partner, playing games with the family, preparing and enjoying an intimate dinner with friends or having a summer barbeque with the neighbors, etc… We appeal to the home buyer’s aspirations for their life – how they want to live. We create an emotional response that brings you top dollar offers.

Savvy real estate agents will be more inclined to show our homes because they know their buyers will easily envision living in them. A home staged by Chic gives a good impression throughout the process and is more likely to be seen as a well-cared-for property by estimators, inspectors, etc.

What is it, really?

Staging is an essential marketing technique in today’s competitive Real Estate market that enhances property presentation using lifestyle selling techniques to secure top dollar offers from buyers. We use proven techniques to review a property for ultimate impact on buyers. Showcasing your home’s best features takes more than de-cluttering, adding flowers and placing a bed on an angle! It is creating favorable impressions everywhere the eyes rest. Starting at curbside and moving throughout the house to the very back edge of the property, we review everything with an objective and creative eye.

Who do we work with?

* Home owners selling their homes who want to secure the most equity possible in the shortest timeframe

* Home builders and re-modelers who want to maximize the return on their investment

* Savvy real estate agents wanting to earn and keep a reputation for excellent service and exceptional performance

What does it cost?

The simple answer to that question is: “Less then it will cost you to not stage…” It is an investment, not overhead. That said, the fee for staging a house varies depending on the size of the house, how many rooms, the level of furnishings needed to support the value of the house, the size and condition of the rooms and if the house is vacant or occupied. You should expect a minimum fee of $300 for a simple consultation and that can go north of $10,000 for full staging of large, high-end homes. Remember, this is probably going to be less than that first price reduction you may be forced to make if you don’t stage, or the house payments you are forced to make while your un-staged home sits on the market and becomes stale. Your return on investment can be threefold or more. How often can you say that about other investments in such a short amount of time?

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions for 2009? Maybe you want to lose weight, eat healthier, get outside more, and spend more time with the family. Did you make any home improvement resolutions? Clean garage, paint bedroom, remodel kitchen, or install home theater. Did any of those resolutions include reducing your carbon footprint? Your what? Your carbon footprint is how you treat the earth around you.

Below are suggestions on how to care for our Earth.

1. Is your current furnace older than your college aged son? Time for a new one. Replace your inefficient heating system with a more modern energy efficient one. Look for a heater with the Energy Star label.

2. But your furnace is pretty new? Then it may just need some TLC and minor maintenance such as changing or cleaning the filters. You can also save the strain on your budget as well by closing the vents to rooms not in use. Reduce heat loss by 20%.

3. Does your garage feel like you stepped into the North Pole? Why not change out the garage door to a more insulated one since energy efficiency is not in the plans when the house was first built. Look for garage doors filled with polystyrene.

4. Does your skirt ever blow up when standing too close to your window? You can add weather stripping around the windows for one solution. A second easier solution is to hang up “blackout” curtains or if needed, and budget allows, replace windows with a double or triple pane window (depending on age of current windows). Curtains can reduce heat loss by 25%.

5. Do you have bats in attic? What about insulation? It may be time to add more insulation or check to see if any is there at all. You can insulate with spray foam or cellulose insulation. Check with the local expert for the best insulation that is needed in your area/home. This will save from undergoing a major renovation.

6. Do you have calluses on your fingers from constant button pushing on your thermostat? Why not get a programmable thermostat that you can pre-set for when you are home or away. You can set to your needs from morning wake up to bedtime tuck in. Save 15% on the heating bill.

7. Got Sun? You can if you convert your power source to solar. This conversion can be expensive, but if done one panel at a time, can be budgeted for and save money in the long run. Get Sun!

8. Cold water is great on a hot summer’s day, but not in the dead of winter when taking a shower. If your water heater is over 15 years old and your water does not seem to stay heated or runs out quick, it time to replace. Once the water heater is installed, wrap it with an insulated jacket to prevent heat loss. Look for an Energy Star model.